Four defendants in PT BKI VGM work corruption case undergo first hearing

Four defendants in the alleged corruption case involving supporting work for the issuance of Verified Gross Mass (VGM) certificates at the Marine and Offshore Oil & Gas SBU of PT BKI underwent their first hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday.

The four defendants are Budi Prakoso, Head of the Marine and Offshore Oil & Gas SBU at PT BKI; Ardhian Budi Sulistiyo, Senior Manager of Marine Operations; Arif Bijaksana Satria Negara, Senior Manager of Business Support; and Risa Hendra, President Director of PT Pilar Mandiri.

Spokesperson for the Central Jakarta District Court, Andi Saputra, said the first hearing was scheduled for the reading of the indictment by the public prosecutor.

“Today’s hearing for defendant Budi Prakoso and colleagues is scheduled for the reading of the indictment,” Andi told reporters.

The trial was presided over by Chief Judge Teddy Windiartono, accompanied by member judges I Wayan Yasa and Jaini Basir.

In the case, investigators suspect that PT BKI paid PT Pilar Mandiri for work that was never carried out. Part of the payment funds are alleged to have been channelled back to internal PT BKI officials.

In addition, the appointment of the third party is suspected to have been made without going through the proper qualification procedures. As a result, state financial losses in the case were recorded at Rp15.58 billion.

PT BKI has previously deposited a refund of Rp15.58 billion with the North Jakarta District Prosecutor’s Office.

The four defendants are charged with violating Article 603 or Article 604 in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the National Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.